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H.0- 12085, Section @52
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UNITED STATES
ATOWIC ENERGY COMMISSION
Washington 25, B.C.
INFORMATION FOR THR PRESS
409291
YOR RELEASE 7:00 P.M., EST
No. 74 Deconber 22, 1947
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1947 ©
Tel. tx. 1616 Bras. 307, 308
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY
COMMISSION ReLATIVE TO THE ORGANIZATION AND
STAFFING OF #NIWETOK PROVING GROUND
The United States Atomic mnergy Commission today announced the organjaation and staffing of the Commission's proving ground at tniwetok for routine
experiments and tests of atomic weapons.
The sclentifie ana technical operation of the proving ground will be’
the responsibility of the Atomic wner.y Commission. These operations will
provide now fundamental data and a broader understanding of nuclear fission
which will facilitate peaceful as weli as military applications of atomic
energy. The Commission's responsibility will be dischurgfed by a scientific
group drawn largely from the Los Alemos Sclentific Laboratory operated for the
Commission by the University of Californic. Dr. Durol K. Froman of the Los
Alamos Scientific Laboratory will bo the Scientific Director of the proving
ground. Dr. Fromen will be. assisted by Dr. Alvin C. Graves, deputy director,
and Mr. Robert . Henderson end Dr. John C, Clark, assistant scientific
diructors.
Dr. Froman's group will operute under thc Atomic finergy Commission
through Captain James &. Russell, USN, of the Atomic Energy Commission Division
of iilitury Application. Goptcin Russell is responsible to the Atomic Energy
Commission Lor the technical operation of the proving ground. He will also
serve as Coumunder of the Seleuntifie Group of Joint Task Force Seven. His
deputy will be Coionel Peul T. Preuss, USAF, clso of the Atomic Energy
Commission Division of Militery Applicution.
The Secretury of Defense has designeted Lt. Generul John &. Hull,
Communding Genurul, U. &. Aray, Pacific, is Commander, Joint Task Force even,
which is at prusent constructing the neccessary facilitics and installations
et univetok. Joint Tusk Force seven viil essist the Atomic Energy Commission in
the conduct of routine experiments ond tusts of atomic weapons at the, proving
ground.
.
Rear Admiral William $. Porsons, USN, ond Major General William E.
Kepner, USAF, have vocn dGusipneted as Depubivs to tho Commander, Joint Task
Fores Seven. Brig. General Claude b. FPerunbuugh, USA, hes been named Chief of
Staff of the Joint Tusk Force.
(morc)
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